Description

The Road to Middle-earth, Tom Shippeys classic work, now revised in paperback, explores J.R.R. Tolkiens creativity and the sources of his inspiration. Shippey shows in detail how Tolkiens professional background led him to write The Hobbit and how he created a timeless charm for millions of readers. Examining the foundation of Tolkiens most popular work, The Lord of the Rings, Shippey also discusses the contribution of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales to Tolkiens great myth cycle, showing how Tolkiens more ?difficult books can be fully appreciated. He goes on to examine the remarkable twelve-volume History of Middle-earth, written by Tolkiens son and literary heir Christopher Tolkien, which traces the creative and technical processes by which Middle-earth evolved.show more

Review quote

"Professor Shippey's commentary is the best so far in elucidating Tolkien's lovely myth." Harper's Magazine "Shippey is a rarity, a scholar well schooled in critical analysis whose writing is beautifully clear." Minneapolis Star-Tribune "[Tolkien] deserves his full do, and Shippey's appreciative assessment of his unique achievement provides it in full and satisfying measure." Philadelphia Inquirershow more